The COVID-19 outbreak has definitely changed our “normal” in terms of travel, work, and socializing. It has forced some manufacturers in various industries to lay-off workers with no guarantee of when they can return, while others are allowing some of their employees to work from home.
Jaclyn Kolodziej, president of Women of Today’s Manufacturing (WOTM), speaks with Becca Peterson of the QPS Employment Group about the current job market, trends, and what women can do to find great job opportunities within the manufacturing space during a time of uncertainty.
Becca provided some great advice for both job seekers and recruiters.
For Job Seekers
Those who are unemployed or looking for a new role can leverage the following to get the position they are searching for:
Leaning on Employment Groups
Employment groups, like QPS, specialize in finding the right employees for a variety of businesses. Becca encourages all job seekers to call and make an introduction so you can get help with resumes, company matching, and more.
Job seekers should also revisit their skill sets and see if they can be repurposed for another industry or position. They may have more opportunities available to them if they can adapt their capabilities outside of what they normally use them for.
Visit GoJobHero.com
Job searching is stressful, especially with all the job boards available for people to subscribe to. JobHero is a dashboard that consolidates all job opportunities from across the web into one board. It helps you track your application process, set reminders for follow-ups, and allows you to tag documents, contact information, and notes.
The blog section offers career advice on how to create effective cover letters, what to avoid when looking for a new job, how to optimize your job search, what to ask on your first day of work, and more.
It integrates with most job boards, including:
Building and Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is a great platform for professionals to connect and network. It has a variety of great features that users can take advantage of to get in touch with the right people at the companies they desire to work for, but some may not know how to optimize it when looking for new job opportunities.
Jane Fleming offers 20 steps to better your LinkedIn profile–some include:
- Selecting the right photo for your profile – first impressions count, so make sure your photo is a recent close-up shot, and you are smiling with your eye.
- Add a background photo – Take this opportunity to select a photo that engages attention and makes you memorable.
- Optimize your headline – The description at the top of your page can also include information about how you see your role or why you do what you do.
- Your summary is your story – Use this section to bring your skill set to life. It is the most personal piece of your profile, so spend some time on it to get it right.
If you do not have a LinkedIn account, Becca recommends starting one, especially during this time when a lot of people are working from home and spending more time on social media platforms.
For Job Recruiters
Job recruiters can leverage the following to make sure they are getting the right people for their open positions:
Defining the Exact Role
One common trend among employers is consolidating multiple roles into one. To find the right person to fill that specific position, it is important for companies to clearly define the skill set and responsibilities in the job description.
Revisiting Wage Range
Companies want to revisit the wage range for any consolidated positions. The wage range needs to match the job responsibilities and skill sets. Leadership should be on the same page in terms of the wage range.
Creating a Game Plan and Being Proactive
Employers should not just be thinking about the current situation, but also six months down the road. Once things get back to “normal” they want to have a game plan in place so they aren’t scrambling to find the right people for any positions that open up.
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